Former U.S. Representative and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra—President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—is a friend to pharmacy, said California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) CEO Susan Bonilla. “CPhA has had a good working relationship with the California Department of Justice, of which he was the Attorney General,” she said. “More broadly, because he very publicly supported health care access and affordability when he was serving in Congress, I believe that he will prove to be a strong ally for pharmacists.” 

FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) on Friday, December 11, for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is indicated for those ages 16 years and older. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) gave the vaccine its official recommendation on Saturday, December 12, and finalized its endorsement to prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers—including pharmacists—and residents of long-term-care facilities with the limited supply that will be available initially.

The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is likely to recommend today that FDA approve a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

FDA's vaccine advisory panel on Thursday voted 17-4 to recommend regulatory emergency authorization of Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, which the agency is expected to push forward within a matter of days.

The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is likely to recommend today that FDA approve a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.